Romans 10:2
"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge."
There must be a just balance between our minds & our hearts.
Knowledge puffs up but Charity edifies.
Scriptural Charity seems to be the balance between heart and mind because charity acts out of the heart feeling of love but is coupled with wisdom.
For example, charity knows how to suffer long, stay kind & not be puffed up, and not envy others.
I think Paul was coming to this same revelation about the heart and the mind. For a man can give to the poor and give his body to be burned and still be found wanting, incomplete. Paul says if this man has not Charity these things he has done will not profit.
Charity has the understanding needed.
A zeal without understanding is dangerous.
Charity knows how to never fail:
Not seeking her own,
Does not behave unseemly,
Is not easily provoked knowing how to possess the soul with patience,
Thinks no evil & does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the Truth,
Charity knows how to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things,
ENDURETH ALL THINGS which requires a willingness to suffer not for one's own glory but for God to be glorified;
Look what Paul adds to this:
1 Corinthians 13:8-11 "...whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things."
So, it seems to me there is a perfection we can attain unto if we have a balance between the heart and mind (the desire & the knowledge). And that perfection is CHARITY.
We must forsake the childish envy, self-seeking, boasting, vain glorying, foolish talking, etc, to attain unto this Charity. We can not rest in the knowledge of Scriptures that we have if our heart is far from God.
We must draw nigh to God with heart, mind & soul.
I believe there is a correlation between perfecting holiness & Charity.
2 Corinthians 7:1
"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
May these musings bless the readers. And may the Muser be a doer and not a Muser only
